On the RUNway…Trending NOW!

Last week we covered wardrobe staples that are worth splurging on – things that will always be on trend.  Then we have new Trends for this FALL.  Well, not really new (as in nothing ever is) but things you’ll be seeing more and more of this Fall.  This was taken from the Huffington Post.

1. Capes

A model walks the runway at the Valentino Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images)
A model walks the runway at the Valentino Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week . (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

It’s difficult not to, but don’t fear capes – how can you, they’ve sustained themselves through the Victorian era, the 1940s, 1960s, and now, 2010s? They’re also versatile: as proven by Valentino’s winter white offering (which is beaded and calf-length) and Jill Stuart’s RTW classic black piece (which she paired with trousers and oxfords), a cape can carry you through the season and various events. Merely treat it as you would a coat, and remember that if your grandmother could do it when she was young, so can you — just like *Lily Allen (see lyrics below) and Kate Hudson did in 2010.

A model walks the runway at the Tommy Hilfiger Women's Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)
A model walks the runway at the Tommy Hilfiger Women’s Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).

2. Academically-Inspired

Back-to-school is synonymous with fall (obviously), but this time around, we grown-ups aren’t being left out. Case in point: collections by the likes of Tory Burch, who saw crisp button-ups layered underneath cardigans and worn with tweed pants. Meanwhile, the king of collegiate, Tommy Hilfiger, showcased a collection chalk-full of argyle suits, knit sweaters, and even a book print dress (though for the record, it’s tragically next-to-impossible to find online).

3. Over-The-Thigh Boots

Beyonce performs on stage during 'The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour' at the Barclays Center in New York. Beyonce wears a blue dress and boots by Pucci and hosiery by Capezio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment).
Beyonce performs on stage during ‘The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour’ at the Barclays Center in New York. Beyonce wears a blue dress and boots by Pucci and hosiery by Capezio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment).

It’s been more than a few years since thigh-high boots re-introduced themselves, and this season is just another testament to their staying power. (Which makes sense – winter is cold, you guys, it’s okay to cover up.) On the celeb front, Heidi Klum recently donned a suede style in the spirit of Emilio Pucci’s collection, while Miley Cyrus has made headlines in hers. Though breathe easy, flat aficionados: you can wear a smaller heel or even a flat style if you’d rather not risk tumbling to your death like some of us would.

A model walks during the Temperley London’s RTW collection.
A model walks during the Temperley London’s RTW collection.

4. ‘60s Mod

The best kind of fashion lives forever, and adding to 2013’s eclectic nature is the season’s mod influence, which infuses capes, thigh-high boots (good news, us: it all ties in!) with bright colours (like Lisa Perry’s loud dresses) and Twiggy-inspired mini-dresses (as found in Temperley London’s RTW collection). But in addition to flipping through old fashion magazines and scrolling through Tumblr, you can also look to someone like Alexa Chung who’s been embracing the vintage vibe for many moons now.

5. Pleated Skirts

A model walks the runway at the Calvin Klein Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week.. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images)
A model walks the runway at the Calvin Klein Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week.. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

The vintage throwback continues with pleated skirts which borrow from the ‘70s and early ‘80s with their high waists and pleats. Calvin Klein infused this look with the season’s leather trend (which we’ll get to imminently), while Celine did the same. However, earlier this year, Diana Argon showcased Marc Jacobs S/S take on the trend, opting for a floral pattern and ‘50s style which there’s still plenty of room left for as we ease into autumn.

A model walks the runway at the BCBGMAXAZRIA Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 7, 2013 in New York, United States. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images)
A model walks the runway at the BCBG MAXAZRIA Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

6. Hats

Finally, fashion and function merge in the season we need them to the most. Tommy Hilfiger featured beanies in droves in his F/W collection, while BCBG Max Azria did the same, thus finally offering a reprieve from hatless-ness in freezing temperatures. (Yes, we’re concerned about the cold. We’re adults – this is how it works.) Meanwhile, styles like fedoras, bowler hats, and this also found places within the Fall 2013 landscape, thus making “hats” and all that the word embodies a go-to autumn trend.

7. Menswear Fabrics

Model Erin Wasson walks the runway during Chanel show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)
Model Erin Wasson walks the runway during Chanel show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)

When we say academic, you say tweed (“academic!” – “tweed!” – “academic” – “tweed!”), so with an influx of collegiate-inspired styles, we probably all expected to see menswear fabrics and patterns in droves, as is the true autumn way. Chanel dressed up the fabric in their Haute Couture collection through skirts and suits, while Alice + Olivia ran with argyle and plaid. Not that any of this is new: in 2010, Claudia Schiffer kept on-point with an argyle V-neck, making us wish we’d kept our vests from high school.

8. Emerald Green

Actress Sofia Vergara attends 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS underwritten by Swarovski at Lincoln Center on June 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Swarovski).
Actress Sofia Vergara attends 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS underwritten by Swarovski at Lincoln Center on June 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Swarovski).

Declared the “it” colour of 2013 back in January, emerald green clearly stuck around for its F/W hurrah, appearing in collections by Phillip Lim, Pantone, and Carolina Herrera. This, of course, is after Emily Blunt wore it in 2012, and Sofia Vergara rocked the colour in June – thus ensuring that incorporating an emerald top, accessory, or a dress still gets a green light (eh?) this fall.

9. Oversized Coats

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A model walks the runway at the Michael Kors Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

Where the rest of autumn sees fitted pieces, outwear remains at large. Following in the footsteps of capes are oversized jackets, which pay homage to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. (Think of Kevin McAllister’s mom in the original “Home Alone.”) Designers like Michael Kors used the look to capitalize on the menswear trend, while Mulberry kept their pink jacket relatively fitted – much like Kate Bosworth’s boyfriend jacket from a couple seasons back which she paired with leather pants.

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A model walks the runway during the Mulberry Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2013-2014 show as part of the London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14.  (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images).

10. Leather (Not Just Accessories)

We all have leather gloves, leather footwear, and a leather coat (which you can pick up for next-to-nothing at thrift stores if a new model is too pricey), but what about leather … everything else? In the spirit of Ross Geller, designers have clung to the fabric in droves, with everyone from Chanel (see: the aforementioned leather skirt) to Vionnet (loose-fitting leather pants) to Mulberry capitalizing on the leather look. You can do the same: even a leather-embellished t-shirt makes a good wardrobe staple, and again, a thrifted leather car coat from the 1970s will keep you on-budget and autumn-ready.

Also trending NOW:

THE FEAR” from Lily Allen‘s It’s Not Me, It’s You” Album

I want to be rich and I want lots of money

I don’t care about clever, I don’t care about funny

I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds

I heard people die while they’re trying to find them

And I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless

Cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous.

I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror

I’m on the right track, yeah I’m on to a winner.

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore

And I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore

And when do you think it will all become clear?

Cause I’m being taken over by The Fear

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers

It’s all about fast cars and cussing each other

But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic

And that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption

And it’s not my fault, it’s how I’m programmed to function

Forget about guns and forget ammunition

Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission

Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner

Now everything’s cool as long as I’m getting thinner

Link to her YouTube: http://vimeo.com/5782708 

 

 

simply satisfying – grilled eggplant salad

Roasted_Eggplant_with_Tomatoes_and_Feta_Grilled Eggplant (or aubergine as it is called in France) with Tomatoes, Basil & Feta.

This is a delicious side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main course. Serves 4

These strange, beautiful, glossy purple vegetables are truly unique.  An eggplant’s taste is particularly hard to pinpoint, other than a satisfyingly sweet bitterness. Its texture is like a chameleon and can range from gooey to spongy to slippery. But it is one vegetable that has so much potential so if you work with it properly you’ll learn to love it.

1 large eggplant, trimmed, cut lengthwise into 1-inch thick pieces.

Course salt

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 10 ounces), halved

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Pinch of red-pepper flakes

1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn

1. Generously season eggplant slices with salt.  Place vertically in a colander, overlapping them.  Let stand 30 minutes, rinse and pat dry. (*Eggplants contain a lot of moisture, which can ruin any dish. The trick to not having a bad eggplant dish is to prep eggplants in advance, by sweating and draining its extra water content.)

2. Preheat grill to medium high.  Liberally brush cut sides of eggplant with oil.  Grill, turning once, until tender, about 4 minutes a side. Or if you prefer you can roast the eggplant.

Mix tomatoes, pine nuts, feta, red pepper flakes and oil.  Season with salt.  Spoon over eggplant and top with torn basil leaves.

*Every Italian grandma knows that you must remove excess water from an eggplant – they contain a lot of extra moisture. Doing so not only   dramatically reduces unwanted wateriness in a dish,  but it also enhances the true essence of the taste.  By sweating out the additional moisture, you also remove some of that extra bitterness taste. This leaves the eggplant tasting more sweet and pure.

Health Benefits: In addition to featuring a host of vitamins and minerals, eggplants contain important phytonutrients, rich in phenolic antioxidant compounds.

As a side with salmon & thinly sliced yukon gold potatoes with malt vinegar salt.
As a side with salmon & thinly sliced yukon gold potatoes with malt vinegar sea salt.

Do you have a favourite eggplant dish?

Seen on the Grocery Shelf

MimosaReady made MIMOSA

Nothing says fancy brunch like a Mimosa…

A great breakfast accompaniment for a lazy weekend, especially in the summer, or in winter if you need a pick me up. Or for when you run out of orange juice. Open & serve in a champagne flute. Great taste – no waste.  One serving per can.  Comes four to a box.

Always nice to share.

Not available in Canada – except maybe Quebec where they’re more civilized.

A classic mimosa recipe calls for equal parts sparkling wine to orange juice. Use a dry sparkling wine, not sweet.

When you’re making a mimosa, always add the sparkling wine first, then top with orange juice. This way, the cocktail mixes together on its own and won’t make a sticky mess at the top of the glass. You don’t need to stir as this will cause the wine to become flat.

LIFE Quotes

 life1Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.” – Paulo Coelho

Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchilllife2

“The past has no power over the present moment.” – Eckhart Tolle

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” – Muhammad Ali

life3“No matter what the situation, remind yourself “I have a choice.” – Deepak Chopra

Taken from a store window
Taken from a store window

B well – with positive thoughts

When Health is absent…

Wisdom cannot reveal itself

Art cannot become manifest

Strength cannot be exerted

Wealth is useless and

Reason is powerless.

– Herophiles, 300 B.C.

positive1The following is condensed from a chapter in “Walking with the Wise” for health & vitality by Alejandra Armas.

Good health is not only the lack of disease and pain, but a complete state of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.  Living in a world as fast, busy, polluted and stress-filled as ours, it may seem difficult to achieve and maintain health and inner peace.  However, it is possible!

Let’s start with our thoughts.  Everything that humankind has achieved was first a thought in someone’s mind.  Our thoughts and emotions shape all areas of our lives, mainly our health and well being.  We are repeatedly using our thoughts unfavorably, compromising our health as a result of it.

Using constructive affirmations is a very powerful tool that will help us in shaping our health.  Continuous positive thoughts become new “programs,” which will create positive outcomes, becoming a fountain of well being.

As opposed to thinking “I am sick,” it is better to say the same in a more constructive way:  “I am in the process of getting better.”  Not a lie, but a powerful creative, proactive affirmation!  Think and affirm “I AM HEALTHY!”  Why?  Because by doing so you are actually identifying with the real YOU.  Since you are not only your body, emotions or thoughts and, since you are a powerful being using these vehicles, by saying “I AM HEALTHY” you are indeed identifying with that powerful being – with the soul, with the universe.  By saying “I AM SICK” you are identifying instead with that which Is not true – for the soul is never sick.

Think about how many times in one day you say things like “I can’t do it,” “I won’t get better,” “I feel terrible,” or “I won’t make it.”  You are giving your power away!  You are actually helping the process of getting sicker and feeling worse!  If you don’t believe it, ponder on this:  are you feeling any better?  No?  Then change the content of the technique you are using!  Because as a matter of fact, you are already using a powerful technique: affirmations!  Same technique, same power, just different content.  Give it a try – IT WILL WORK!!

Energy is like muscles.  It has to be built.  You must persevere and persist with your affirmations.  No need to become fanatical, write down each affirmation 2000 times or surround yourself with post-it notes.  Just keep a simple yet consistent pace.

It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not.  JUST REPEAT IT!  Even if mechanical, you are creating an energy.  The more you say it, the more effective it’ll be, and by the law of cause and effect, the more you’ll attract it, therefore, the more you’ll start believing it!  Regardless of our inability to see the air, it is there!  Whether you believe it or not, the law of gravity exists…if you throw something, by the law of gravity, it will fall.  Period.  In the same way, you don’t have to believe this: just try it.  “You become what you think.”  It is a law!positive2And the world needs our positive thoughts now, more than ever!

Le Diner en Blanc

What a unique + outrageous evening I had last night – a sister date in a sea of white and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

Arrivals
Arrivals

I attended Vancouver’s second “Diner en Blanc” courtesy of my sister Lisa. Have you heard of it? This event  first started 25 years ago in Paris and has now become a global phenomenon.  A big part of the event is always its secret location up until a few hours before having to make your way there.  This year many people guessed the Science World location ahead of time.

blog7This exclusive sold out evening drew 2,500 people, double the size of the first Vancouver one held last year near the Olympic cauldron at Jack Poole Place.  What a coincidence that Black Sabbath happened to be playing at Rogers Arena on the same night.  Which left many black clad fans on their way to the concert wondering what the hell was going on and why everyone was dressed up all in white – a strict dress code requirement. Not only that, but participants were required to bring their own picnic baskets, folding tables, chairs, dinnerware and even food unless you arranged to have it catered. You had to make arrangements to order wine & champagne ahead of time too.

We were very lucky to have an excellent chef cater a five course meal for our table of about sixteen people.

Melissa, Jen, Lisa, Debbie
Melissa, Jen, Lisa, Debbie

We enjoyed live music of  upbeat, mostly french songs too and danced a bit.

Hey there's another Lisa - the running group leader.
Hey there’s another Lisa – lulu run group  leader, looking lovely as ever.

Now there are many other en blanc dinners held in various cities around the world.

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., was shut down when a flash mob took over the elegant shopping street for the Los Angeles version of Diner en Blanc on August 22nd. Participants included François Pasquier, 69, who held the first Diner en Blanc 25 years ago in the Bois de Boulogne.

Adrien & Ange
Adrien & Angela

“Such a chic pique-nique,” Pasquier said of the Beverly Hills version.

Also, to make memories depends on how distinctive and different it is. That’s what is remembered the most – doing that little bit of extra to make it more special so people will talk about it for a long

time.

blog8

CrowdSo, would I do it again…..after having to lug our own or borrowed folding tables/chairs, tablecloths, napkins, place settings, dishes, glasses, candles, centrepieces, etc.  – Bien sûr!photo(21)

Talking with friend Manu
Talking with friend Manu

Deb1

Lovely Lisa
Lovely Lisa

 

Beauty with Benefits – Cuticle Care 101

Well girls….our job is never done!HealthyNails-636

Last week I posted about the latest trends in nail polish because when most people think of nail care they think of nail polish, or fingernail problems like peeling, chipping, and cracking. But your cuticles also contribute to nail health and a neat appearance. Uncared-for cuticles are prone to hangnails and dryness, while badly cut or bitten cuticles put the skin around the fingers at a risk of infection.  My cuticles have always been troublesome until recently, now that I’ve found the perfect solution – see below for product reviews.

By following these cuticle-care guidelines, you can prevent cuticle disasters & help maximize your manicure’s good looks at the same time.

Moisturize                                                                                                   

No matter how well you think you moisturize your hands, your cuticles are especially thirsty for hydration. They’re soaked and dried every time you wash your hands, they’re exposed to chemicals when you clean or work without gloves. If you’re not already rubbing a good quality moisturizer (see below) into your nails and fingertips every day, start doing it. If you do moisturize, and you still get hangnails or dryness, start to do it twice.

Never cut your cuticles

Your cuticles perform a valuable job: protecting the roots of your nails from invasion by harmful bacteria. If you cut them away, they won’t be able to do their job. Same if you cut them poorly. Instead, push the cuticles back with a non-metal tool, such as a rosewood stick. However, bear in mind…

Don’t Push Back Dry Cuticles. Cuticles are not only easier to nudge back when they’re moist, it’s also safer. Pushing on a wet, flexible cuticle is much less likely to lead to tears or other damage. Try pushing back your cuticles right after you get out of the shower, or soak your fingertips for a short time in a bowl of warm water.

Push Back Cuticles Like a Pro. There are three steps to the push-back: One, apply a cuticle remover (balm works better than an oil or cream – see below). Two, use an orange stick to gently push back your nice moist cuticles. Finally, move the orange stick in tiny circles at the base of the nail to remove any clinging dead skin that’s there. Repeat the last step as necessary.

Trim Hangnails Carefully. While it’s not a good idea to cut your cuticles, it’s fine to cut your hangnails. Just go about it with caution: again, you’re trying to avoid causing infection. Use a sharp cuticle nipper (I recommend Tweezerman) that you’ve cleaned with alcohol or peroxide beforehand, and apply antibacterial ointment to the cut areas immediately afterwards—especially if you slip up and draw blood (ouch!).

Choose Nail Care Products Wisely.  Acetone-based nail polish removers and polishes and treatments with formaldehyde, including formaldehyde resins, are just as bad for your cuticles as they are for your nails. Dump any nail polishes or nail treatment products made before the end of 2007, which are likely to contain formaldehyde, and look for removers that are labeled acetone-free. Both of these chemicals, in addition to being toxic, cause dryness and irritation of cuticle skin.

I love a nice cuticle oil like this from Island Girl - from Hawaii ABC shop.
This floral scented cuticle oil from Island Girl is best for finishing off your manicure with a swipe after polish. Available at ABC stores – Hawaii + Las Vegas.

It’s simple: healthy cuticles look better than unhealthy ones. And healthy cuticles help keep nails healthy too. My TOP picks:Eye Get Spoil

This 20% shea butter and cream from L'Occitane is great.
Don’t forget the hands.  This 20% shea butter  in a tube from L’Occitane is one of the best hand creams ever invented.

 The one in the blue jar is called BALMshell & it works best of all. Infused with healing essential oils my nails have never been  healthier, seriously!

It’s a NEW miracle 3 in 1 beauty balm that works equally well to help soften around the eyes + lips. Available only online at http://www.getspoilednow.com

style & substance – wardrobe staples worth the splurge

Falling for FALL

  As much as we want to hang on to Summer, Fall is just around the corner and with these 10 investment pieces you can’t go wrong.

In every woman’s wardrobe, there are places one should splurge and places one should save.  Unlike fleeting trends, closet classics—things you’ll love for years to come, regardless of ever-changing fashion fads—are the obvious best place to sink your shopping dollars. Here are 10 splurge-worthy staples that, while guaranteed to take a bigger chunk out of your budget, chances are they’ll be sticking around for awhile.

Black or Camel Coat

COAT
COAT

Outerwear trends come and go every autumn, but there are a few coat classics that never change—and two timeless hues in particular, black and camel. A Burberry duffel coat’s casual enough that you won’t have to save it only for special occasions, while a chic peacoat infuses any look with instant prep appeal. As for Max Mara’s beautiful self-belted topper, it’s the sort of piece you could pass down to your daughter or niece one day.

from left: wool-felt duffle coat, $995, burberry brit, net-a-porter.com; gaila coat in roanoke wool blend, $695, theory.com; manuela coat, $1,456, max mara, matchesfashion.com

Classic Watch

WATCH
WATCH

More practical than nearly any other piece of jewelry, a watch adds instant polish and professionalism to any look, and is something you’ll keep for years to come. Why shouldn’t yours be an absolute knockout?

from left: chronograph watch in rose gold/navy, $275, michaelkors.com; medor, $4,050, hermes.com; tank française watch, medium model, $4,700, cartier.us

Patent Pumps

PUMPS
PUMPS

A simple, classic pump works for everything from job interviews to first dates to black-tie weddings to girls’ night out. Find a pair that’s comfy (OK, relatively so) and take the plunge. (Side note: while I love a smooth calfskin heel too, I think there’s something about glossy patent that just adds that extra somethin’ somethin’.)

from left: decollete 868 100 mm, $625, christianlouboutin.com; aimee patent platform pump, $675, jimmy choo, bergdorfgoodman.com; tayler patent leather d’orsay pumps, $735, manolo blahnik, saksfifthavenue.com

Ballet Flats

Though less overtly sexy than the aforementioned stilettos, ballet flats are (or should be, at least) the day-in-day-out workhorses of a modern girl’s footwear wardrobe. Chances are you’ll likely clock more miles in these babies than in your heels,

BALLET
BALLET

so take care when shopping for them. Porselli and Repetto make beautiful, ballerina-approved versions, and many editors swear by Lanvin’s flattering hidden-wedge take on this sleek staple.

from left: porselli ballet flats, $190, apc.fr; leather ballet flats, $560, lanvin, net-a-porter.com; the cendrillon textured-leather ballet flats, $285, repetto, net-a-porter.com

Little Black Dress

LBD
LBD

Audrey wore them. Carine Roitfeld lives in them. Kate Moss accessorizes hers to the hilt. A simple black fit-and-flare dress, body-con number or sleek sheath works for pretty much any scenario imaginable and is guaranteed to make you look your absolute best, so it’s a sound item to spend a little extra on.

from left: sleeveless dress, $2,367.50, lanvin vault, farfetch.com; ripple stretch-crepe dress, $1,150, preen by thornton bregazzi, net-a-porter.com; arabesque metallic embroidered dress, $3,351, azzedine alaïa, matchesfashion.com

Printed Cocktail Dress

PCD
PCD

That said, when you’re in the mood to make even more of a statement, there’s nothing like a boldly patterned party frock. The trick here is to choose one in a relatively classic print—think florals, polka dots or easy geometric graphics.

from left: ruby printed silk crepe de chine and cotton-blend lace dress, $3,220, erdem, net-a-porter.com; garden-print dress, $895, red valentino, saksfifthavenue.com; embellished lace and silk-faille dress, $6,990, oscar de la renta, net-a-porter.com

Perfectly-Fitting Denim

PFD
PFD

There’s absolutely nothing—nothing—like finding that amazing pair of derrière-perfecting, leg-lengthening, hip-slimming jeans. Sink a little extra cash into your blues, and they’ll pay for themselves in compliments.

from left: 811 mid-rise skinny leg, $191, jbrandjeans.com; the marrakesh, $168.30, mih-jeans.com; stretch cotton-blend leggings-style jeans, $187, rag & bone jean, net-a-porter.com

Gray Cardigan

GREY CARDIGAN
GREY CARDIGAN

Yes, black cardigans are great too, but hear me out: when you’re already dressed in head-to-toe noir, sometimes you need another, slightly lighter neutral to keep the look from veering into Morticia Addams territory. In such cases, gray’s your go-to. Heather-colored cardis look equally great with little white dresses, too—as well as pretty much everything in one’s closet.

from left: cashmere and silk-blend cardigan, $640, miu miu, net-a-porter.com; asymmetric hem cardigan, $595, alexander wang, barneys.com; collection cashmere boyfriend cardigan, $238, jcrew.com

Oversized Cashmere or Wool Wrap

WRAP
WRAP

How do we love our enormous cashmere throws? Let us count the ways: they’re the perfect way to stay warm in snowy weather (when you live in a windy city, a coat alone just doesn’t cut it), they double as blankets (and pillows!) on long plane or car trips and they sort of make us feel like Stevie Nicks. Solid.

from left: cashmere travel wrap, $295, whiteandwarren.com; striped wool-blend wrap, $600, missoni, net-a-porter.com; cashmere ruana, $498, brooksbrothers.com

Timeless Handbag

BAG
BAG

If you’re looking for the absolute most reliable place to sink those wardrobe dollars, a classic carryall’s your best bet. Whether you opt for a classic flap-front 2.55 shoulder bag, a quilted tote or even a tiny crossbody carryall, there’s just no going wrong with anything double-C-adorned. Proenza Schouler’s cult-forming PS1, meanwhile, has made the tricky transition from trend to cool classic with ease. And of course, few can resist the heritage-steeped house of Hermès. While Birkins and Kellys may yield the longest waitlists, we’re currently smitten with the smaller Constance crossbody.

clockwise from left: vintage constance bag, $6,700, hermès, portero.com; ps1 medium leather, $1,695, proenzaschouler.com; classic flap bag, $4,400, chanel.com for locations

In my INbox: From Lucky Magazine by Elana Fishman.

So….how did you score?  Are you a perfect 10?

simply satisfying – Spicy Fish with Fruit Salsa

Try a little taste of the Caribbean.

White Fillet topped with Spicy Fruit Salsa
White Fillet topped with Spicy Fruit Salsa

This recipe originally called for 4 Chilean Sea Bass fillets.  Since Sea Bass in on the endangered list I now substitute for the very comparable Sablefish.

First: combine the below ingredients in a small bowl to form a spicy paste to coat fish.

¼ cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. chilli powder

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

½ Tbsp. curry powder

¼ tsp. tumeric

¼ tsp. paprika

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¼ tsp. onion powder

½ tsp. aniseed

½ tsp. mustard seed, toasted in dry sauté pan for one minute.

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Season fish with salt and pepper.  Coat lightly with flour (not necessary but doing so makes it brown better).  Brush a heavy coating of the spicy paste mixture (above) on the skin side of fish and a little on the flesh side if you like more spice.  Add about 2 Tbsp. of vegetable or canola oil to a very hot, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is great) and sear the fish-skin side.  When the skin is crispy, place fish in oven for approximately 10-15 minutes.  Serve with fruit salsa.  Serves 4-6.

salsa1Spicy Fruit Salsa (worth the extra bit of work)

1 tsp. jalapeño pepper, chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 papaya, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 ripe mango, peeled and diced

½ cup fresh pineapple, chopped

½ lemon, juiced

½ lime, juiced

1 Tbsp. honey

½ tsp. chilli powder

1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped

¼ cup of olive or vegetable oil

pinch of salt & pepper

Carefully (some wear gloves) remove seeds and membrane of jalapeño and discard.  Combine all ingredients and refrigerate. Either top the fish or serve on the side with a nice jasmine rice.

TIP: you’ll most likely have leftover salsa which is delicious next day for fish tacos or chicken salad.

SPICES: I consider all the spices here to be basics for use in so many other dishes. If you must go out to buy them you won’t be wasting your time or money.

I’d love to hear your feedback after you try it.